So What Happened?™

Thanks to everyone...I think it was my washing machine - I have never washed it, didn't know you had to...but things smell much better!!

Featured Answers

J.K.
answers from
Boston
on
July 10, 2009

I found that after washing diapers, bibs, etc. for a while everything started to stink no matter how much I washed them. Now I clean out the washing machine every month or so and it seems to help tremendously. I fill it up with hot water (no clothes), then dump in some baking soda and vinegar. I let it sit for a few minutes (maybe 10 to 20) then let it go through the rest of the wash/rinse/spin cycle. There are other ways to do this, too -- I just looked it up online. Sometimes I will have to wash the stinky stuff a couple of times, but after the machine has been cleaned out things are better. Good luck.

This happened to me with towels once. I no longer use fabric sofftener and add vinegar to the rinse cycle. I sometimes add some baking soda as it says it's a laundry detergent boost. I have had no smelly towels or washcloths since. I also rarely use bleach anymore.

Try adding good old fashioned Borax to your wash load. It's all natural, non-bleaching, and helps your soap work better. You can get it at Wal Mart or grocery store, in the laundry soap/stain remover/bleach area.
Good luck

I found that after washing diapers, bibs, etc. for a while everything started to stink no matter how much I washed them. Now I clean out the washing machine every month or so and it seems to help tremendously. I fill it up with hot water (no clothes), then dump in some baking soda and vinegar. I let it sit for a few minutes (maybe 10 to 20) then let it go through the rest of the wash/rinse/spin cycle. There are other ways to do this, too -- I just looked it up online. Sometimes I will have to wash the stinky stuff a couple of times, but after the machine has been cleaned out things are better. Good luck.

Same thing happened to me. I tried everything. The only thing that worked was using bleach when I washed them. Also, whenever you wash them do not leave them in the washer when they are done. Put them right in the dryer.

In the past I've used bleach (if white), vinegar and good old fashioned sunshine. Soak in vinegar, wash as normal and hang in the sunshine. They won't be "fluffy soft" from the dryer but they definitely won't be musty. Good luck!

I find that whenever mold gets into fabrics, it is really hard to get out. Don't let wet clothes sit, wash them that day. Use Tide. And bleach whenever possible. The Clorox "gentle care" bleach isn't too harsh on colors if added sparingly.
I recently had to wash my son's sneaker sandals 6x before the funk got out of them. Mold is pervasive.
Avoid buying dark colored bath towels; you should always be able to bleach those. Good luck!!

Despite what anyone else will tell you. Buy powdered Oxyclean and put about 1/4 cup in each wash along with your detergent. Add it to the clothes and not in the compartment with the detergent. You can pause your washer after about 5 minutes and soak the worst ones. I double rinse my clothes. It Works!! Make sure your dryer is fully drying the clothes too. If they sit in dampness, they will smell again. Perfumes, dyes, and heavy detergents are not good for your skin or your health. Oxyclean has a dye free brand too. I just found it, but have not had as much experience with that one.
Good Luck!
S.

I'm betting this is because you're not letting them dry after you use them. We hang the washcloths on the side of the tub after using them to let them dry, then only put them in the hamper after they're dry. If you throw them stright into the hamper while they're still wet, they will start to smell moldy for sure. I always wash all towels separate from the clothes in hot water and use bleach on the white ones. You might try getting a good quality detergent (like Tide) with color safe bleach to get the smell out of the colored ones.

You can try soaking them for several hours in OxyClean - I got a mildew smell out of some clothing that I thought were surely ruined that way. And as some others noted, after you do get the smell out make sure to hang them in a place where they will dry out quicker after you use them.

If they are white or light, try a little chlorine bleach in the wash water. Other options would be soak in a solution of vinegar and water or baking soda and water then wash as usual. It is also possible the water itself is smelling a little "mildewy". In the summer months, due to warmer water tempatures the water can pick up a litte algae or "fishy" smell. I agree with the other writer on occasionally cleaning the washer itself. I fill the tub with warm water and a little bleach every couple of weeks and then let it soak for at least 10 minutes the let rinse out. Leave the tub lid open a little while after the wet clothes are removed to allow the inside to dry also helps. Good Luck.